Hey Mom,
Golfing was good, But, I'm not that great at it. I lost several balls ;) We talked to they guy though and he said that we could go two times a month. I'm pretty sure we will end up taking that offer. We are going again today. As far as Garments. I get the small tall I believe.. So Small tall mesh Tops and some 30's briefs for the bottoms.. If you haven't sent it yet. if so That's alright. (I hope you aren't sending that part either I don't really think people would like to see what my underwear size is...) By the way... I have no idea what Dole whip is, Just so you know... but what I do know is; I'm tempted to go to GNC and get some leaning supplements and then some hydration stuff because you can get drained so easy with it's in the 90-100s and the humidity ranges from 30-70%. So I might need some money on my Debit card.
Jayme sent me an e-mail and said that she feels like there was a lot of people there and so I'm glad that she was happy about it. that's the most important thing is that she feels like she was well supported. I couldn't see the pictures.. I think you might need someone to help you with that. It doesn't ever seem to work when you try to send me pictures this way! haha ;P Don't worry about when I get married, If i do... You will be off the hook and just get to sit back and watch all of it unfold, so no worries there. It will be a good while before that happens though.
Tell Matthew happy birthday for me! I'm pretty bad at remembering sending cards so if he doesn't get one.. Tell him I lost it in the mail, But I will try to remember to pick one up at the store today. (I am getting better at remembering when people birthdays are, you gotta give me credit for that!)
You don't have to worry about me getting married young, we all know that I'm not going to get married until I'm 30 or so.... ;P but hey look at it this way. You aren't getting old, everyone is just catching up to you. That's all ;)
This last week was the best one that we have been able to have all transfer. Were able to find and teach new investigators and actually teach. It's kind of nerve racking teaching with Elder porter though because he isn't has familiar with the lessons yet so important principles and doctrines within the principle get missed but we were able to have the spirit with us and so it was still good. Just could have been better though. I cant completely take over though because that will disable him and he wont learn how to teach so, you live with it. This next week seems hopeful, until Thursday, we don't really have anything planned past then. hopefully we will be able to find more and then get to meet with them later this week so we can continue to find and teach. Interesting enough though, I have been able to get pretty good at having members come out with us and drive us around when we go teaching (even when some people are never there... they still come) So I don't have to ride my bike that much. it's really nice when it's raining really hard or when it is really hot. I'm lazy in that aspect I guess you could say. but don't worry. that's probably the only thing that I am Lazy in right now. We don't have anyone progressing right now, we are working with those we have found and are inviting them to church and hopefully they will come so we can help them progress towards baptism.
Two and a half more weeks and I will have been out a year. It's weird to think. Time has gone by so quickly and they say that time doesn't start to go fast until after your year mark. I guess we will see.
Transfers are next week. I think I will be staying here again. Odds are that I will because I need to finish going through the trainer packet with Elder Porter. You never know though.
I know my e-mails are a bit lame, but You know me. I run out of words sometimes.
That's about it for this week. We will see what adventures lay ahead.
Love ya!
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Hey dad,
You better be in shape and still running when I get home because I will need to get into that habit of working out again. workouts on a mission are atrocious.
The teaching appointments went well. we had more than we normally do. That was nice, we were able to have the spirit with us for most of them so are hopeful about those who we have started to teach and hopefully we will be able to continue to teach them and bring them to baptism.
Honestly, Not too much developed this week. still a lot of finding and hopefully we can help the people we find want to investigate and then join the church. we will see what unfolds.
I can't believe it's Matthew's birthday. he is 13. by the time I get back he will be a teacher and Ammon a priest. It's kind of strange to see all of that going on and then to even think about what I have to do when I get home. I actually have to grow up. that is a bit unfortunate. but hey. I still have another year before I have to really grow up.
anyways. transfers are coming this next week. I can see me staying, but I can see me leaving. Odds are though that I will stay one more transfer and finish training Elder Porter.
Love ya
Monday, July 25, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Dear Mother,
oh, another in-law to put up with... Great. Ha Just kidding it will be cool. When do they go down to Cedar? I'm assuming immediately after? I'm sure things will be good for you guys there. Just kind of in a tough place where we just moved and you are in nursery so not too many people know who you are and vice-versa. I guess we will have to see then right?
I'm excited for Joel. I hope he can at least go to the call center and take some refferal calls and work on mormon.org talking to investigators. I know TJ Tagg did that because of his Muscular-distrophy and was able to take part in a lot of miracles.
The tree's are green here. but it has only rained once in about a month so it's pretty dry. sounds like utah is probably greener than it is here. especially because just about no one here has sprinkler systems so the gras gets really dead. Then, with the people that do have sprinklers they do a really poor job because they dont' do them that often so they have dead spots and what not. It's really stinkin hot and humid but that doesn't make anything greener. speaking of hot and humid things... do you want to sent me some mesh tops? I sweat Like a beast with this humidity!
As far as diversity goes, the other day we were out tracting and we were able to talk to everyone of every different kind of belief you could think, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim. For a city that is probably about the size of Spanish Fork you wouldn't guess such a diverse place for religion, but, I was able to come to the conclusion that Christians are the meanest and rudest of all beliefs. Especially American Christians. I mean we had to guys from India talk to us for awhile and one was a Hindu. I just find it interesting that those who don't believe in Christ as the Savior of the world are more Christ-like than those who are.
This upcoming week we actually have good plans for what we are going to do. the last few days we have been able to find a lot of people that we were able to talk to and get appointments with and in fact, we were able to pick up a new investigator named mary sutton. When you have a lot of first appointments and discussions set up a lot of people flame, or ditch out on you so we hope that we will be able to get at least half, if not all because that would hopefully get us pretty busy and we could start teaching a fair amount and be able to Help people progress in the gospel. We have definitely been able to see the fruits of our labors this week with all of these people willing to meet with us and inviting others to come unto Christ. It has been really great and a testimony builder for me to see that Diligence takes great effort over a long period of time. I'm very hopeful for all that is able to happen in the coming weeks.
Also, we were able to go and see some Less-active/Inactive members of the ward and talk to them and I mean we have been going to see them multiple times and we have always invited them to church, but this last week we focused on the sacrament and what the Sabbath day really is, as we did you could just see something click in their heads like "wow, I really haven't been to church in a really really long time. I know that the sacrament makes a difference in my life" It's great to see the spirit work in the lives of others. One stayed for all of sacrament and the other came, got the sacrament and left (he gets worried about his wife because they are super old and she is pretty sick and have custody of a 9 year old and a three year old). I was really happy to see them there.
as far as today goes... we get to go golf at a pro golfing course that is used as a PGA qualifier for free. and get to eat in the clubhouse, for free. Gotta love awesome members that will hook us up with a lot of things. mmmm. and, we are having some really good barbeque ribs tonight. Mmm.. yeah bros it's gonna be good.
ha well I hope all goes well at the wedding today and yep..
Love ya!
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Hi dad.
I don't know about being home before I'm an uncle... I still have a good 13 months ahead of me...
I have honestly learned a lot about diligence and that as I go doing the Lords work he will put people in my path for me to talk to so I have gained a testimony of talking to everyone that I see. we have a good number of appointments set up for this next week with some investigators. Hopefully they stand. If they do we can become fairly busy for a biking area which will be fantastic. I'm excited for what can and will happen here in this area.
Lucky you though getting rain. It has rained once in a month or even more.. everything is dying.
You should look up Maumee Bay golf Club, It's right on Lake erie and it's a very High class, PGA approved golf course we get to golf at today. I'm pretty excited about it.
The wedding will go well. You are in the sealing as I type..
Tell Jayme I love her and Cassidy, one false move... ha He better treat her well. Don't know the guy but he seems like he will do good.
Love ya.
oh, another in-law to put up with... Great. Ha Just kidding it will be cool. When do they go down to Cedar? I'm assuming immediately after? I'm sure things will be good for you guys there. Just kind of in a tough place where we just moved and you are in nursery so not too many people know who you are and vice-versa. I guess we will have to see then right?
I'm excited for Joel. I hope he can at least go to the call center and take some refferal calls and work on mormon.org talking to investigators. I know TJ Tagg did that because of his Muscular-distrophy and was able to take part in a lot of miracles.
The tree's are green here. but it has only rained once in about a month so it's pretty dry. sounds like utah is probably greener than it is here. especially because just about no one here has sprinkler systems so the gras gets really dead. Then, with the people that do have sprinklers they do a really poor job because they dont' do them that often so they have dead spots and what not. It's really stinkin hot and humid but that doesn't make anything greener. speaking of hot and humid things... do you want to sent me some mesh tops? I sweat Like a beast with this humidity!
As far as diversity goes, the other day we were out tracting and we were able to talk to everyone of every different kind of belief you could think, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim. For a city that is probably about the size of Spanish Fork you wouldn't guess such a diverse place for religion, but, I was able to come to the conclusion that Christians are the meanest and rudest of all beliefs. Especially American Christians. I mean we had to guys from India talk to us for awhile and one was a Hindu. I just find it interesting that those who don't believe in Christ as the Savior of the world are more Christ-like than those who are.
This upcoming week we actually have good plans for what we are going to do. the last few days we have been able to find a lot of people that we were able to talk to and get appointments with and in fact, we were able to pick up a new investigator named mary sutton. When you have a lot of first appointments and discussions set up a lot of people flame, or ditch out on you so we hope that we will be able to get at least half, if not all because that would hopefully get us pretty busy and we could start teaching a fair amount and be able to Help people progress in the gospel. We have definitely been able to see the fruits of our labors this week with all of these people willing to meet with us and inviting others to come unto Christ. It has been really great and a testimony builder for me to see that Diligence takes great effort over a long period of time. I'm very hopeful for all that is able to happen in the coming weeks.
Also, we were able to go and see some Less-active/Inactive members of the ward and talk to them and I mean we have been going to see them multiple times and we have always invited them to church, but this last week we focused on the sacrament and what the Sabbath day really is, as we did you could just see something click in their heads like "wow, I really haven't been to church in a really really long time. I know that the sacrament makes a difference in my life" It's great to see the spirit work in the lives of others. One stayed for all of sacrament and the other came, got the sacrament and left (he gets worried about his wife because they are super old and she is pretty sick and have custody of a 9 year old and a three year old). I was really happy to see them there.
as far as today goes... we get to go golf at a pro golfing course that is used as a PGA qualifier for free. and get to eat in the clubhouse, for free. Gotta love awesome members that will hook us up with a lot of things. mmmm. and, we are having some really good barbeque ribs tonight. Mmm.. yeah bros it's gonna be good.
ha well I hope all goes well at the wedding today and yep..
Love ya!
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Hi dad.
I don't know about being home before I'm an uncle... I still have a good 13 months ahead of me...
I have honestly learned a lot about diligence and that as I go doing the Lords work he will put people in my path for me to talk to so I have gained a testimony of talking to everyone that I see. we have a good number of appointments set up for this next week with some investigators. Hopefully they stand. If they do we can become fairly busy for a biking area which will be fantastic. I'm excited for what can and will happen here in this area.
Lucky you though getting rain. It has rained once in a month or even more.. everything is dying.
You should look up Maumee Bay golf Club, It's right on Lake erie and it's a very High class, PGA approved golf course we get to golf at today. I'm pretty excited about it.
The wedding will go well. You are in the sealing as I type..
Tell Jayme I love her and Cassidy, one false move... ha He better treat her well. Don't know the guy but he seems like he will do good.
Love ya.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Hey Mom,
Sunday I had the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone again and speak in sacrament meeting. it was good. It was a bit different though because this ward can get really quiet and it seemed to me like I was putting everyone to sleep, but I think I did a good job. What did President Sorensen have to say? as far as Elder porter, he is really getting the whole teaching and talking to people but the lifestyle is very different for him, but He is doing well. Just needs to fully leave home at home, I guess that just comes with time though.
I don't think you know what hot and humid is like.... Just sayin'. (Don't forget Erie is only 15-20 minutes away and we are by a fairly big river ;)) I'm starting to get into fairly good shape. we get to ride our bikes fairly often. Especially because we don't have anyone to teach so we just ride around talking to people and do all kinds of finding. But nothing yet. I don't think I will be in good as shape as Ammon though with all of that lifting and stuff, but we decided that we were going to start using the weight room our apartment complex has and then a member just moved in on Saturday and they have a cage with free weights and stuff so I think we will go use that on p-days when they get it set up and they are settled in.
You are getting old! Three kids all through the temple and what not, that's really cool. Draper was the temple that King went through his first time. that has been the only Time that I have been there. It's a nice one, just really small. Is payson going to be like that or is it going to be a medium sized one like Provo? Don't forget Jayme may be cynical and what not, she does know the gospel well.
Met a Muslim guy this week. it was pretty neat. Here in Perrysburg is one of the biggest mosques in The north east U.S. so there is a high population of Islam. I will tell you what, if I was ever to leave the church/ Christianity (which won't happen) I will definitely become a Muslim. they have a lot of very similar beliefs as we do when it is concerning the smaller matters. but the Key things like Christ as the Savior differs and other things like that. otherwise they are pretty similar and as devout as a member of our church who knows for a fact that it is true and magnifies their callings. so yeah,
There isn't really that much for me to talk about or to say because we don't have anyone to teach, I wish we did but it just isn't working that way right now and so we just do a lot of tracting and contacting trying to find new people to teach.
Well,
Love you
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Sunday I had the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone again and speak in sacrament meeting. it was good. It was a bit different though because this ward can get really quiet and it seemed to me like I was putting everyone to sleep, but I think I did a good job. What did President Sorensen have to say? as far as Elder porter, he is really getting the whole teaching and talking to people but the lifestyle is very different for him, but He is doing well. Just needs to fully leave home at home, I guess that just comes with time though.
I don't think you know what hot and humid is like.... Just sayin'. (Don't forget Erie is only 15-20 minutes away and we are by a fairly big river ;)) I'm starting to get into fairly good shape. we get to ride our bikes fairly often. Especially because we don't have anyone to teach so we just ride around talking to people and do all kinds of finding. But nothing yet. I don't think I will be in good as shape as Ammon though with all of that lifting and stuff, but we decided that we were going to start using the weight room our apartment complex has and then a member just moved in on Saturday and they have a cage with free weights and stuff so I think we will go use that on p-days when they get it set up and they are settled in.
You are getting old! Three kids all through the temple and what not, that's really cool. Draper was the temple that King went through his first time. that has been the only Time that I have been there. It's a nice one, just really small. Is payson going to be like that or is it going to be a medium sized one like Provo? Don't forget Jayme may be cynical and what not, she does know the gospel well.
Met a Muslim guy this week. it was pretty neat. Here in Perrysburg is one of the biggest mosques in The north east U.S. so there is a high population of Islam. I will tell you what, if I was ever to leave the church/ Christianity (which won't happen) I will definitely become a Muslim. they have a lot of very similar beliefs as we do when it is concerning the smaller matters. but the Key things like Christ as the Savior differs and other things like that. otherwise they are pretty similar and as devout as a member of our church who knows for a fact that it is true and magnifies their callings. so yeah,
There isn't really that much for me to talk about or to say because we don't have anyone to teach, I wish we did but it just isn't working that way right now and so we just do a lot of tracting and contacting trying to find new people to teach.
Well,
Love you
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
hello there.
You were correct, I was unable to E-mail yesterday. The week was okay, we had a two day training meeting where I had to give a workshop in front of 36 people or so, I was a bit nervous (because we know how much I hate to be in front of groups) but it turned out well, I was able to be guided by the spirit so I wasn't nervous after I got up there. Elder Porter and I get along pretty well. He doesn't really know why he is out here yet, he is a bit lost in his purpose and I don't know why he decided to come out here either because he wont really tell me. The apartment is good, we have two bedrooms but they aren't too big so we are a bit crammed but we make it work. Elder Haines can get around now, just no walking, still on crutches, he actually isn't too trunky. It's definitely a negative for the idea of a big area and a lot to do. Neither one of us have investigators and the entire area itself is smaller than when I was in Wadsworth and Barberton, Probably the smallest area I have been in. It's just been a place where they have stuck another set of missionaries when we have an influx. we will for a little while as well. we didn't really do anything for the 4th just kind of did the normal. Last Saturday though I will tell you what, It got up to about 98 and it was super humid. I think the heat factor was about 120-130... we sweat a lot.
I don't think I ever say Juniper apartments, the only one I saw was the first one that Jayme moved into. So they have a decent size place though for the both of them? They don't have to share it do they? that would be a bit weird...
A mission is hard. If you expect it to be easy you are fooling yourself. If you honestly expect anything in life to be easy you are flat out a fool. If life were easy than Satan would have won in the beginning and we would all be going on our own merry little way. I just get bothered when people get up and say, yeah we decided to be diligent and talk to everyone we saw and whatever whatever whatever, then we were able to see this happen. When I hear that I'm just like I do this every day my friend. I'm still doing it too and I don't see this in my life. What the heck is the difference? I dunno. It's all personal, but honestly, I don't expect anything less to be completely honest. If I ever have an area where things are just busy and exploding like crazy I will just be amazed. I don't think I would really know what to do. well. no I take that back. I'm pretty sure I would be able to know what to do. That's how I was trained, So I could do it.
It bothers me a bit now that I have another companion who has no clue why he is here. Probably the least out of all of my formers. Granted, yes he is really new but it seems like he doesn't want to be out here at all. Period. I have tried to ask him his reasoning for being here and all I got was "I talked to my bishop and he talked me into it". so I don't know what to do to help him. But, He has to be willing to make the choice on his own. otherwise I can't help. Especially because he doesn't tell me what he wants to do or how I could help him. I'm praying for it.
As far as our training meeting went we had to drive about an hour and a half to the mission office in Cleveland on Thursday and then sit there forever. which it was really good. I was able to learn a lot by the spirit. afterward we stayed the night with some of the missionaries there in the area and then the next day we went back for another 7 or 8 hours. Man, I will tell you what, the next day I was so tired and brain dead I just wanted to go sleep.! It was funny though because we ran into a pastor and he told us we were the "anti-christ" because we didn't believe that Christ is God, and when we think that Christ is the son of God we are limiting His power and what he can do. This guy was out of control, jumping around, yelling, pointing, waving his arms, it was quite the show. It's so funny to see how easily deceived people can be and honestly how stupid they are too. I got a good laugh.
what is it. two weeks now until another in-law? good luck ;)
Love ya
--
Elder Michael Stone.
You were correct, I was unable to E-mail yesterday. The week was okay, we had a two day training meeting where I had to give a workshop in front of 36 people or so, I was a bit nervous (because we know how much I hate to be in front of groups) but it turned out well, I was able to be guided by the spirit so I wasn't nervous after I got up there. Elder Porter and I get along pretty well. He doesn't really know why he is out here yet, he is a bit lost in his purpose and I don't know why he decided to come out here either because he wont really tell me. The apartment is good, we have two bedrooms but they aren't too big so we are a bit crammed but we make it work. Elder Haines can get around now, just no walking, still on crutches, he actually isn't too trunky. It's definitely a negative for the idea of a big area and a lot to do. Neither one of us have investigators and the entire area itself is smaller than when I was in Wadsworth and Barberton, Probably the smallest area I have been in. It's just been a place where they have stuck another set of missionaries when we have an influx. we will for a little while as well. we didn't really do anything for the 4th just kind of did the normal. Last Saturday though I will tell you what, It got up to about 98 and it was super humid. I think the heat factor was about 120-130... we sweat a lot.
I don't think I ever say Juniper apartments, the only one I saw was the first one that Jayme moved into. So they have a decent size place though for the both of them? They don't have to share it do they? that would be a bit weird...
A mission is hard. If you expect it to be easy you are fooling yourself. If you honestly expect anything in life to be easy you are flat out a fool. If life were easy than Satan would have won in the beginning and we would all be going on our own merry little way. I just get bothered when people get up and say, yeah we decided to be diligent and talk to everyone we saw and whatever whatever whatever, then we were able to see this happen. When I hear that I'm just like I do this every day my friend. I'm still doing it too and I don't see this in my life. What the heck is the difference? I dunno. It's all personal, but honestly, I don't expect anything less to be completely honest. If I ever have an area where things are just busy and exploding like crazy I will just be amazed. I don't think I would really know what to do. well. no I take that back. I'm pretty sure I would be able to know what to do. That's how I was trained, So I could do it.
It bothers me a bit now that I have another companion who has no clue why he is here. Probably the least out of all of my formers. Granted, yes he is really new but it seems like he doesn't want to be out here at all. Period. I have tried to ask him his reasoning for being here and all I got was "I talked to my bishop and he talked me into it". so I don't know what to do to help him. But, He has to be willing to make the choice on his own. otherwise I can't help. Especially because he doesn't tell me what he wants to do or how I could help him. I'm praying for it.
As far as our training meeting went we had to drive about an hour and a half to the mission office in Cleveland on Thursday and then sit there forever. which it was really good. I was able to learn a lot by the spirit. afterward we stayed the night with some of the missionaries there in the area and then the next day we went back for another 7 or 8 hours. Man, I will tell you what, the next day I was so tired and brain dead I just wanted to go sleep.! It was funny though because we ran into a pastor and he told us we were the "anti-christ" because we didn't believe that Christ is God, and when we think that Christ is the son of God we are limiting His power and what he can do. This guy was out of control, jumping around, yelling, pointing, waving his arms, it was quite the show. It's so funny to see how easily deceived people can be and honestly how stupid they are too. I got a good laugh.
what is it. two weeks now until another in-law? good luck ;)
Love ya
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Dearest Family,
This week has been good. It's pretty different covering such a small area. especially with a lot of people who are religious and pretty well off where they aren't so open to talking to missionaries, but it has been fun. It's a different experience to be able to be a senior companion and train where as I have always been able to rely on someone else to make the descisions when I dont really know what to do. I'm with Elder Porter, He is from Odgen. He is a good missionary, We (as in Elder Haines and the Other trainers) have been talking about the new missionaries coming out of the MTC and decided that they are going to be so far ahead of the missionaries in the Field. This new training program is really good. Now that I really think about it i'm lucky to be involved because if you aren't you are honestly going to be left behind. I mean these new ones are doing and knowing things that I just barely started to know and really get good at not that long ago. The Church is making some major strides in having quality missionaries. Elder Haines is With Elder Perkins, they live with us and take care of everything that is north of us, Mainly the east side of Toledo. Elder Conlin went back to St. Marys.
I'm glad to hear that Trevor looks happy. Hopefully that's truly what he needed to do in life and has no regrets. I Can't believe there are so many missions in Georgia, Wow, we only have two here in Ohio. I need to Get Matthews Address then so I can send him a letter one of these days to see how he is doing. I'm pretty intrested on how he is doing with all of the southern cookin'!
It's crazy to hear how much is going on. Fast too. Are Jayme and Cassidy living in the Dorms or what? I know he has free housing and all, but I can't remember if you told me or not. Tell Ammon that he should wear a sombrero for the Trek and live like his Mexican ancestors and grow out the mexi-stache. I can't remember why I never went on the Trek? was it because I was too old? I know for one I missed it by a month by being too young..
Expecting to move again already? You have only been there for a little over a year. come on guys. ;P
I hope it is a mild summer. We all know I am a sweater and man I will tell you what. sweaters' and Humidity doesn't mix very well. Riding a bike is fun though. We get to talk to a lot of people and it's a good thing to be seen as much as we do. It's new to plan so much time to travel as well. Although we aren't teaching that many people because everything was cut in half, we still seem to be able to stay pretty busy by going contacting down town or at an outdoor stripmall. I will tell you what though, I'm glad I'm on the flat side of the state, the only hills we have to ride are the ones for overpasses. That Makes life easy. It is honestly amazing though how many people you don't get to talk to though because of driving a car. There are people everywhere. I think it was last night or the night before we were headed home about 9 o'clock and as we were riding our bikes there were just people walking around and I wanted to stay out and contact them but at the same time I was thinking, If I talk to all of these people I'm going to be out until 10:30 or later! I'm devoted, but you know, when It comes to getting to bed at time and having your sleep....
I figure, that training makes you be more diligent and obedient I swear. I mean, when you are with another missionary who has been out awhile like yourself or really not a greenie. It can make it easier to be lazy and not want to go out and be diligent and talk to everyone or go tracting. Especially because it can be pretty uncomfortable. it's going to really be a great time of growth. This next month and a half, Or three months, because Training is a twelve week program president wants to keep trainers with their greenies for the entire time; is going to be interesting. on a bike and all of that stuff.......... I just lost my train of thought.... I came to the conclusion though that it's very possible that we might tract this entire town out before the time I leave. but, if I do, I'm sure we will be able to find someone who is ready to come unto Christ and be baptized. I Remembered my thought, the train came back... This time here from now on will most likely be pretty hard but it will be a lot of fun too. so fun, I believe, counteracts the hard things, but you know, Things will happen.
Love ya!
--
Elder Michael Stone.
This week has been good. It's pretty different covering such a small area. especially with a lot of people who are religious and pretty well off where they aren't so open to talking to missionaries, but it has been fun. It's a different experience to be able to be a senior companion and train where as I have always been able to rely on someone else to make the descisions when I dont really know what to do. I'm with Elder Porter, He is from Odgen. He is a good missionary, We (as in Elder Haines and the Other trainers) have been talking about the new missionaries coming out of the MTC and decided that they are going to be so far ahead of the missionaries in the Field. This new training program is really good. Now that I really think about it i'm lucky to be involved because if you aren't you are honestly going to be left behind. I mean these new ones are doing and knowing things that I just barely started to know and really get good at not that long ago. The Church is making some major strides in having quality missionaries. Elder Haines is With Elder Perkins, they live with us and take care of everything that is north of us, Mainly the east side of Toledo. Elder Conlin went back to St. Marys.
I'm glad to hear that Trevor looks happy. Hopefully that's truly what he needed to do in life and has no regrets. I Can't believe there are so many missions in Georgia, Wow, we only have two here in Ohio. I need to Get Matthews Address then so I can send him a letter one of these days to see how he is doing. I'm pretty intrested on how he is doing with all of the southern cookin'!
It's crazy to hear how much is going on. Fast too. Are Jayme and Cassidy living in the Dorms or what? I know he has free housing and all, but I can't remember if you told me or not. Tell Ammon that he should wear a sombrero for the Trek and live like his Mexican ancestors and grow out the mexi-stache. I can't remember why I never went on the Trek? was it because I was too old? I know for one I missed it by a month by being too young..
Expecting to move again already? You have only been there for a little over a year. come on guys. ;P
I hope it is a mild summer. We all know I am a sweater and man I will tell you what. sweaters' and Humidity doesn't mix very well. Riding a bike is fun though. We get to talk to a lot of people and it's a good thing to be seen as much as we do. It's new to plan so much time to travel as well. Although we aren't teaching that many people because everything was cut in half, we still seem to be able to stay pretty busy by going contacting down town or at an outdoor stripmall. I will tell you what though, I'm glad I'm on the flat side of the state, the only hills we have to ride are the ones for overpasses. That Makes life easy. It is honestly amazing though how many people you don't get to talk to though because of driving a car. There are people everywhere. I think it was last night or the night before we were headed home about 9 o'clock and as we were riding our bikes there were just people walking around and I wanted to stay out and contact them but at the same time I was thinking, If I talk to all of these people I'm going to be out until 10:30 or later! I'm devoted, but you know, when It comes to getting to bed at time and having your sleep....
I figure, that training makes you be more diligent and obedient I swear. I mean, when you are with another missionary who has been out awhile like yourself or really not a greenie. It can make it easier to be lazy and not want to go out and be diligent and talk to everyone or go tracting. Especially because it can be pretty uncomfortable. it's going to really be a great time of growth. This next month and a half, Or three months, because Training is a twelve week program president wants to keep trainers with their greenies for the entire time; is going to be interesting. on a bike and all of that stuff.......... I just lost my train of thought.... I came to the conclusion though that it's very possible that we might tract this entire town out before the time I leave. but, if I do, I'm sure we will be able to find someone who is ready to come unto Christ and be baptized. I Remembered my thought, the train came back... This time here from now on will most likely be pretty hard but it will be a lot of fun too. so fun, I believe, counteracts the hard things, but you know, Things will happen.
Love ya!
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Hello.
So, um, uh... I'm training a Greenie for the next three months or so... and, uh the area here is splitting, so I'm going to be riding a bike..
Hmm. Sounds like fun?
I'm actually pretty excited about this. I didn't want to really ride a bike until the end of my mission so I could be in shape when I got home but, It's all good. I just think my sweat glands will all run out because of the humidity. July is the hottest and most humid month of the year here. It will be fun. It will be a very good learning experience for me as well, especially where I have been a Jr. companion for practically my entire mission. The only thing I'm really nervous about is that instead of having one hour of companion study I have to do two on the days we don't have meetings or things like that. So, I'm not really sure what we are going to do for that time. The MTC came out with this very intense training program for the field for new missionaries. It's crazy. It's something that I'm very glad that I get to be a part of because these missionaries are going to be so good and so far ahead of so many other missionaries out here that if you aren't a part of this you very well could be left behind. The objective of this is that at the end of their three month training period they will be of enough caliber to train. at three months! that is insane!
Yesterday I had to attend a training meeting in Cleveland, that is a long drive! a long meeting too. after wards we went contacting in downtown. that was a lot of fun. mainly because people can only run away from you and even then you can start walking with them so they have no where to go but to listen to you! So, we would just walk with them down the road and invite them to learn more. I will tell you what. I really want to serve there now! I love the big city and I find it so much easier to talk to people in a metropolitan area like that than somewhere Like perrysburg where people are well off and not really walking around outside. It's still a lot more fun and easy than tracting.
What is it? a month until Jayme is married? that's coming up soon. That's really cool though what Blaine is doing. I have always liked him, even though at times you can get caught up in all the gossip and things that people say, but I have come to the realization that it was Spanish Fork and the way they do things there. I'm glad that Ammon is getting those opportunities to prove himself. I didn't think he wanted to wrestle through the summer either? this guy never makes up his mind! haha that's funny though. I guess that is just how he is.
This week was a bit harder to get things done because we didn't have very much time to be out proselyting because of other circumstances. but it's all good now, because the area is splitting and we will have two sets of elders in the ward. It's a bit harder to coordinate things but I think it will be fun. Mainly because we will be living together too so there will be four of us crammed into our apartment! I just realized that this last week was really long! and something else. I have almost been out a year. It's an amazing thing to try and understand, that subject of time that is. Now as I start to think about how we are going to help the investigators we have progress I'm looking at the calendar and I ask myself. how can we have enough time to help them get baptized this month when everything goes so quickly, where as at the start of my mission I was just like yes, we have a whole month to work with these guys and they are going to progress super quickly and we can baptize them pronto! Just always seems like we don't have enough time at all. it's hard for me to think about how quickly some people can come unto Christ and others very slowly. It's neat to think how much some people have been prepared and how much preparing we have to help them with. as we go back and talk to these people, most of them have had encounters with the church or something has happened where they are unhappy with the situation that they are in and you can just see how God put down his hand and was like "hmm, it's your turn, you are ready now!" -- Just a thought.
Love ya
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Ps got your package. Thanks a million!
So, um, uh... I'm training a Greenie for the next three months or so... and, uh the area here is splitting, so I'm going to be riding a bike..
Hmm. Sounds like fun?
I'm actually pretty excited about this. I didn't want to really ride a bike until the end of my mission so I could be in shape when I got home but, It's all good. I just think my sweat glands will all run out because of the humidity. July is the hottest and most humid month of the year here. It will be fun. It will be a very good learning experience for me as well, especially where I have been a Jr. companion for practically my entire mission. The only thing I'm really nervous about is that instead of having one hour of companion study I have to do two on the days we don't have meetings or things like that. So, I'm not really sure what we are going to do for that time. The MTC came out with this very intense training program for the field for new missionaries. It's crazy. It's something that I'm very glad that I get to be a part of because these missionaries are going to be so good and so far ahead of so many other missionaries out here that if you aren't a part of this you very well could be left behind. The objective of this is that at the end of their three month training period they will be of enough caliber to train. at three months! that is insane!
Yesterday I had to attend a training meeting in Cleveland, that is a long drive! a long meeting too. after wards we went contacting in downtown. that was a lot of fun. mainly because people can only run away from you and even then you can start walking with them so they have no where to go but to listen to you! So, we would just walk with them down the road and invite them to learn more. I will tell you what. I really want to serve there now! I love the big city and I find it so much easier to talk to people in a metropolitan area like that than somewhere Like perrysburg where people are well off and not really walking around outside. It's still a lot more fun and easy than tracting.
What is it? a month until Jayme is married? that's coming up soon. That's really cool though what Blaine is doing. I have always liked him, even though at times you can get caught up in all the gossip and things that people say, but I have come to the realization that it was Spanish Fork and the way they do things there. I'm glad that Ammon is getting those opportunities to prove himself. I didn't think he wanted to wrestle through the summer either? this guy never makes up his mind! haha that's funny though. I guess that is just how he is.
This week was a bit harder to get things done because we didn't have very much time to be out proselyting because of other circumstances. but it's all good now, because the area is splitting and we will have two sets of elders in the ward. It's a bit harder to coordinate things but I think it will be fun. Mainly because we will be living together too so there will be four of us crammed into our apartment! I just realized that this last week was really long! and something else. I have almost been out a year. It's an amazing thing to try and understand, that subject of time that is. Now as I start to think about how we are going to help the investigators we have progress I'm looking at the calendar and I ask myself. how can we have enough time to help them get baptized this month when everything goes so quickly, where as at the start of my mission I was just like yes, we have a whole month to work with these guys and they are going to progress super quickly and we can baptize them pronto! Just always seems like we don't have enough time at all. it's hard for me to think about how quickly some people can come unto Christ and others very slowly. It's neat to think how much some people have been prepared and how much preparing we have to help them with. as we go back and talk to these people, most of them have had encounters with the church or something has happened where they are unhappy with the situation that they are in and you can just see how God put down his hand and was like "hmm, it's your turn, you are ready now!" -- Just a thought.
Love ya
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Ps got your package. Thanks a million!
Monday, June 13, 2011
WARNING: THIS LETTER MAY SEEM WEIRD AND DISJOINTED TO YOU. I NEGLECTED TO WRITE LAST NIGHT AND GOT UP LATE THIS MORNING. MICHAEL WAS ALREADY ON THE COMPUTER AND WONDERING WHERE MY EMAIL WAS. WE KIND OF WROTE BACK AND FORTH FOR A WHILE. HOPE YOU CAN MAKE SENSE OF IT!!!
Haha oh mother! what the heck is up with this slacking?????? ;)
Sounds like a bummer with the stone family reunion, but, that's what it is always like right?
That's cool though that all of those guys are getting home. so it seems like this is the shortest e-mail I have gotten from you. I guess it's summer and not that much is really going on right now. same here .
I would write more but I am pretty sure I put all of it in Jennifer's e-mail. So what's going on? not much? me either. Just being a missionary you know... that's all ;P
Love ya. Were you able to get some conference cd's for me? I would get them but I don't really have a way to. if you can't that's okay too, so dont' sweat it. either way, I do have an ensign.
Love you.
Things are going pretty well. we either need someone to come out teaching with me or to sit with Elder Haines, where ever the member goes, Elder conlin goes the opposite. So, it's the who can babysit elder haines game, everyone but me! it has been good though. He is recovering well and only has 7 pins in his toe, he has a doctors appointment on wednesday to find out more. I guess they want him to come in once a week for a bit. He just has to lay down with it eleveated and can't do anything. he gets a bit frusrtated at times. I don't blame him,.
You should have ammon start helping you out with your gas money driving him around that much haha.
Jennifer has my e-mail, with the week and stuff. I told her to hold it randsom. so we'll see what happens, she will probably give it to you though. I will send you a few pictures of his toe.
Send Trevor my regards and tell him I wish them the best.
Love
Here are some pitures of the broken toe.
They are in a progression from right after it happened to after the surgery.
This week was pretty interesting and a little stressful with trying to get Elder haines a babysitter. He isn't allowed to put any pressure on his foot at all. They ended up putting 7 pins in it and fileting the top of his toe. So, because of this we had to either find a member to come out with me or one to sit with him. It was about 50/50 with that, so we didn't get to do too much proselying, or really any finding until the end of the week when we would just drop him off at someones house, then me and the other missionary Elder Conlin would go out and work. It has to be pretty hard on Haines with only having one transfer left and having to lay down all day every day. He has been getting a little antsy as well. which I don't blame him for, especially because he is on some pretty hard stuff. He was on Vicoden before the surgery and now he is on Percocet (if we really wanted some money we would jsut take the whole bottle and go up to East Toledo and make $2700 or so).
I have been noticing since I have been here I have had a lack of the spirit in my days so I have really been praying for the Holy Ghost to be with me so I can be guided in the things that I need to to and really, especially now, where I need to be. Last night, we were able to have a very very spiritual experience with one of our part-member/investigator families who missionaries have been working with for a really long time. Here is the story: Bill Repka, whose family has all been members for a few years now told us last night, that he had promised God that he was going to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a few weeks ago. We were all amazed. He has always asks for blessings when we are there except for one time. We have always wondered why. After we were done Teaching he had asked us for a blessing, and we were going to give it to him then but then a member came to pick Elder Conlin and I up to go out teaching (which was very powerful as well) who had gotten stuck behind a train and had to walk half a mile to come to us. If he had not gotten stuck by the train he would have came in during or before Brother Repka told us that he wanted to be baptized and that he just has a few hang ups to the point where he doesn't think he is ready to take the invitation at the back of the Book of Mormon. But, he said he is willing to do whatever it takes so he can recieve his answer and become a member. When we came back to get Elder Haines we gave him a blessing. When it came time for the blessing he asked the member (who went teaching with us) to give him a blessing (and had challenged him to be baptized and to act a few weeks earlier). Talk about revelation and prophecy! As Brother Narayan proceeded to give the blessing the spirit was able to flow through him and he said everything, I mean absolutely everything that we had been told just minutes before he showed up. Then, as he said these things he told him what he needed to do to be able to accomplish these certain things. It really was the most amazing experience I have had on my mission with Revelation and following the guidance of the spirit. It has really shown me what I need to do so I can be in tune and know what I need to do with investigators, we have been working with Brother Repka since we have been here and just found this out. Brother Narayan who is very humble and receptive to the spirit figured it out within minutes.
If Brother Narayan had arrived when he had planned, and that train wasn't there to stop him, one of us could have been the one to give him a blessing. would we have been in tune with the spirit? maybe. But, if he did show up at the planned time, we might not have even figured all of that out. The Spiritual experience we had started far before we would have even though and not even with us in their house. It was absolutely stunning. after the blessing Brother Repka just got up and was speechless. He did not know what to say. He just had this look on his face like, wow, God was truly working through you. what a miracle. I hope that one day, I will be able to be that in tune with the spirit.
The rest of the week, Prior to this, we focused on finding and we tried to do as much contacting as we could. Somehow we ended up by the river and there we took a few pictures because we got distracted (don't tell anyone this though, Missionaries, you know, Like me, are suppose to be super focused and diligent. every now and then it calls for a photoshoot. Plus I need to take more for you guys ;)
all is good here though, we have a week and a half left in the transfer. can you believe that already? within a month and a half it will have been a year! it has gone by so fast. I cannot believe it. absolutely amazing.
Love,
--
Elder Michael Stone.
Haha oh mother! what the heck is up with this slacking?????? ;)
Sounds like a bummer with the stone family reunion, but, that's what it is always like right?
That's cool though that all of those guys are getting home. so it seems like this is the shortest e-mail I have gotten from you. I guess it's summer and not that much is really going on right now. same here .
I would write more but I am pretty sure I put all of it in Jennifer's e-mail. So what's going on? not much? me either. Just being a missionary you know... that's all ;P
Love ya. Were you able to get some conference cd's for me? I would get them but I don't really have a way to. if you can't that's okay too, so dont' sweat it. either way, I do have an ensign.
Love you.
Things are going pretty well. we either need someone to come out teaching with me or to sit with Elder Haines, where ever the member goes, Elder conlin goes the opposite. So, it's the who can babysit elder haines game, everyone but me! it has been good though. He is recovering well and only has 7 pins in his toe, he has a doctors appointment on wednesday to find out more. I guess they want him to come in once a week for a bit. He just has to lay down with it eleveated and can't do anything. he gets a bit frusrtated at times. I don't blame him,.
You should have ammon start helping you out with your gas money driving him around that much haha.
Jennifer has my e-mail, with the week and stuff. I told her to hold it randsom. so we'll see what happens, she will probably give it to you though. I will send you a few pictures of his toe.
Send Trevor my regards and tell him I wish them the best.
Love
Here are some pitures of the broken toe.
They are in a progression from right after it happened to after the surgery.
This week was pretty interesting and a little stressful with trying to get Elder haines a babysitter. He isn't allowed to put any pressure on his foot at all. They ended up putting 7 pins in it and fileting the top of his toe. So, because of this we had to either find a member to come out with me or one to sit with him. It was about 50/50 with that, so we didn't get to do too much proselying, or really any finding until the end of the week when we would just drop him off at someones house, then me and the other missionary Elder Conlin would go out and work. It has to be pretty hard on Haines with only having one transfer left and having to lay down all day every day. He has been getting a little antsy as well. which I don't blame him for, especially because he is on some pretty hard stuff. He was on Vicoden before the surgery and now he is on Percocet (if we really wanted some money we would jsut take the whole bottle and go up to East Toledo and make $2700 or so).
I have been noticing since I have been here I have had a lack of the spirit in my days so I have really been praying for the Holy Ghost to be with me so I can be guided in the things that I need to to and really, especially now, where I need to be. Last night, we were able to have a very very spiritual experience with one of our part-member/investigator families who missionaries have been working with for a really long time. Here is the story: Bill Repka, whose family has all been members for a few years now told us last night, that he had promised God that he was going to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a few weeks ago. We were all amazed. He has always asks for blessings when we are there except for one time. We have always wondered why. After we were done Teaching he had asked us for a blessing, and we were going to give it to him then but then a member came to pick Elder Conlin and I up to go out teaching (which was very powerful as well) who had gotten stuck behind a train and had to walk half a mile to come to us. If he had not gotten stuck by the train he would have came in during or before Brother Repka told us that he wanted to be baptized and that he just has a few hang ups to the point where he doesn't think he is ready to take the invitation at the back of the Book of Mormon. But, he said he is willing to do whatever it takes so he can recieve his answer and become a member. When we came back to get Elder Haines we gave him a blessing. When it came time for the blessing he asked the member (who went teaching with us) to give him a blessing (and had challenged him to be baptized and to act a few weeks earlier). Talk about revelation and prophecy! As Brother Narayan proceeded to give the blessing the spirit was able to flow through him and he said everything, I mean absolutely everything that we had been told just minutes before he showed up. Then, as he said these things he told him what he needed to do to be able to accomplish these certain things. It really was the most amazing experience I have had on my mission with Revelation and following the guidance of the spirit. It has really shown me what I need to do so I can be in tune and know what I need to do with investigators, we have been working with Brother Repka since we have been here and just found this out. Brother Narayan who is very humble and receptive to the spirit figured it out within minutes.
If Brother Narayan had arrived when he had planned, and that train wasn't there to stop him, one of us could have been the one to give him a blessing. would we have been in tune with the spirit? maybe. But, if he did show up at the planned time, we might not have even figured all of that out. The Spiritual experience we had started far before we would have even though and not even with us in their house. It was absolutely stunning. after the blessing Brother Repka just got up and was speechless. He did not know what to say. He just had this look on his face like, wow, God was truly working through you. what a miracle. I hope that one day, I will be able to be that in tune with the spirit.
The rest of the week, Prior to this, we focused on finding and we tried to do as much contacting as we could. Somehow we ended up by the river and there we took a few pictures because we got distracted (don't tell anyone this though, Missionaries, you know, Like me, are suppose to be super focused and diligent. every now and then it calls for a photoshoot. Plus I need to take more for you guys ;)
all is good here though, we have a week and a half left in the transfer. can you believe that already? within a month and a half it will have been a year! it has gone by so fast. I cannot believe it. absolutely amazing.
Love,
--
Elder Michael Stone.
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